I'm back from Provence with working wifi and no distractions to stop me from blogging except addressing envelopes.
Is Provence the fruit basket of France? Nicer than New Jersey maybe. Yes
I'm at the huge Apt Saturday marché here.
Everything looks so beautiful.
And tastes it too. A typical market lunch back at the workshop after a morning of painting. Bear is happy as a clam.
What they think you should wear in Provence.
What locals really wear. Mostly French ultramarine blue.
What they are eating at the above cafe in Goult, Luberon.
Everywhere you go, lavender. Especially in high-up Sault where you can still see the tail-end of the lavender season.
And buy directly from the producteurs, by far the best venders.
Lovely blue bottles of lavender laundry spray for your sheets. Lavender has endless uses they say.
I did not taste the lavender ice cream. Pistachio svp.
Nor the local nougat but I love looking at these big slabs.
A lavender- colored shop in Sault.
Colorful, woven straw market bags hang in Goult. All together we visited Gault, Sault, Villars, St. Saturnin les Apt, L'Lsle-sur-la-Sorgue, and Apt!
I miss the doorways of Provence. Have you been?
Happy End of July PBers where ever you are!
You can tell this was THE workshop. I have wanted to go to Provence since PBS's 'A Year in Provence". You have captured the beautiful blues and lavenders. The nougat looks scrumdelicious.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your watercolors. I wish we had one market that had such a variety.
Thank you Marilyn!
DeleteMuch more to come this week!
I promise 😀😀
All these luscious lovelies are setting my heart aflutter! Your photos are so lovely, I can't wait to seeing the paintings! I've been trying to channel my inner Carol (and inner other watercolor faves!) this summer but oh, look at your subject matter!
ReplyDeleteSometimes what's in front of your eyes is too beautiful.
DeleteIt can be daunting...
Whaddya mean better than New Jersey "maybe"?
ReplyDeleteNo maybe!
Yes, I have been there. Loved it too, especially the light.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to see Bear enjoying himself.
Vert strong light and very strong shadows in Provence.
DeleteA challenge to paint!!
Doorways of Provence Yes!
ReplyDeleteI do miss those doorways!
I saw a book on the subject the last day...shoulda bought it 😟
DeleteHow did you like St. Sat? We stayed there for a week in May — our door was the very next one to the right of the door-with-statuary that you photographed. Gorgeous, totally livable house… We wanted to stay forever, or at least for months and months. No lavender when we were in the Luberon…but lots and lots of poppies.
ReplyDeleteOh lucky you Judith!
DeleteSt. Sat is such a lovely town. Love the boulangerie too and a nice Tuesday marché.
"Nicer than New Jersey maybe..." I laughed out loud. You've inspired me to do quick tomato portraits before they become gazpacho.
ReplyDeleteLoved today's post!
ReplyDeleteWonderful painting of apples!
ReplyDeleteLove the cool to warm color in the background.
Oh this has brought back good memories of the Luberon - thanks Carol! Hope the painting went really well xx
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the nougat! Simply gorgeous! Curiously not as satisfying to eat, but maybe I've never had the real stuff?
ReplyDeleteBetter to simply admire and walk on by.
DeleteOr pay a visit to the dentiste vite!
So glad to see Bear enjoying your lunch. And O.M.G. the nougat! The nougat! How beautiful. So is the rest of your post. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure you're not a photographic journalist, too? ��
ReplyDeleteIn my dreams GwenEllyn. I love putting photos together to tell a story...my M.O.
DeleteBon jour Carol!! I am enjoying my Paris letters so much! My mouth waters at the summer fruits and I can almost feel the textures and smell the smells of flowers, traffic, wet cobblestones and dog shit. It all goes together to make Paris Paris. I wonder, there are so many quaint and magical spots (just about everything is), but it is also a real, living, modern city. What are your thoughts on how this can be? How can the real life exist alongside the ancien with such vibrancy? Does the influx of refugees threaten that as I have read that many Parisians fear? I know I'm asking questions a little far afield of your usual posts and I don't mean to get political, but I am fascinated by the special ambience of a city like no other (and a little jealous of your courage to make it your own). Merci!!
ReplyDeleteParis is still Paris Nora.
DeleteAs charming as ever IMHO. The streets are much cleaner than they used to be also in my opinion. As for refugees you dont see them much in Paris..I'm.not sure why this is. There are throngs of tourists but mainly shopping or the bateau mouche. Life goes on as always as far as I can see. Do come visit!!!
Have been..loved and we will be back..it's just perfect ..love your pics Carol!!Love the aquarelle!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, Carol - and so many!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see Bear.
When I was in Montreal I saw small slabs of nougat but never like the marble-like pillows you photographed. I learn something new every time I open your emails. Thanks for making my morning a little more fun!
ReplyDeleteThese markets look amazing! As do the lovely photos of Provence. It's winter here and I have been sick since last week with a virus - this definitely brightened my day. Merci beaucoup Carol!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, photos and watercolor, Carol! Thrilling, as always, to enjoy your adventures vicariously. Next time, try the lavender ice cream. It's a taste sensation and caps off the experience of being in Provence during lavender season.
ReplyDeleteI definitely will Marjorie next time...could be in September.
DeleteI have the Provence bug.